November 13, 2014 - Local Racing Talent Has Sights Set on NASCAR
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Racing 75 miles per hour around an asphalt speed track; the roar of the engine and cheers from the crowd buzzing in his ears; the distinct aroma of gasoline burning in the air. These are some of the sights, sounds and smells that drive recent Universal Technical Institute – Rancho Cucamonga graduate Wilhelmus “Willem” Voesten to the finish line at the Orange Show Speedway in San Bernardino.
Voesten, 22, races in the Speedway’s Extreme Exhibits Outlaw Figure 8 each month, a hobby he began in 2010 and tradition he is carrying on from his father and grandfather who also have a love for speed.
“I’ve loved racing since I was 3 years old,” Voesten said. “Instead of watching cartoons, I watched racing.”
He worked on cars with his dad growing up, assisting racer “Barefoot Billy” with preparing his car for the track (a fellow “gearhead” who he now races alongside today). His passion for racing goes beyond being behind the wheel, however, with his ultimate dream being to work under the hood as a NASCAR automotive technician.
Voesten graduated from UTI-Rancho Cucamonga in September 2014 from the campus’ Automotive Technology Program with a 4.0 GPA and nearly perfect attendance record. After he wraps up this racing season at the end of the year, Voesten will be transferring the skills and knowledge he took away from UTI-Rancho Cucamonga to UTI’s NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, North Carolina – the exclusive education provider of NASCAR technician training.
He looks forward to receiving hands-on training about NASCAR engines, pit crew operations and more beginning in early 2015 – but first, he’ll be finishing the racing season with his next race scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8. For more information about Voesten’s next race at the Speedway, visit http://www.theorangeshowspeedway.com. See you at the track!
